Introduction to parish

Details of church

Built: 1899 - 1902
Architect: Beresford Pite
Listing:
grade 2*

The building is in a Byzantine style with stock brick walls relieved by bands of purple
Berkhampstead bricks and Portland Stone dressings. The joints of the bricks are raked out
and the pointing is recessed from the face. The main dome over the nave crossing, together
with the domical roofs to the 'western' stair turrets and the bell tower are covered in
small Delabole slates. The main roofing is in a patent interlocking pantile. The principal
glazing bars to the leaded windows are heavily coated in zinc and the design of the
windows themselves (filled with green and white glass) is subtle and effective.

The plan and volume of the building and its furnishings are of exceptional
architectural quality and considerable liturgical interest. Internally the art nouveau
influence is more pronounced that the outside of the building would suggest.

The nave and transepts of the basilica create an uninterrupted worship space, full of
light but without glare. The floors are ramped down towards the central crossing under the
dome, with the side aisles covered in black and white marble in chequer pattern. The
Sanctuary is formed by a five-sided apse at the 'east' end (actually the west end of the
church) and the Holy Table stands in an enclosure originally formed by the communion rails
(now removed).

The interior walls of the basilica are of undecorated rendering with abundant and
beautifully painted lettering adorning the 'east' wall of the Nave. The ceilings are lined
in softwood boarding with a diaper pattern produced by alternately staining and leaving
unstained short lengths of boarding.

The entire building has been substantial altered: the
nave (reduced in length) and sanctuary are perhaps the only two remaining areas close to the
architect's original
concept.